Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB1907 Latest Draft

Bill / Enrolled Version Filed 05/24/2021

                            S.B. No. 1907


 AN ACT
 relating to a feasibility study on the colocation of federal and
 state motor vehicle inspection facilities at ports of entry.
 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 SECTION 1.  DEFINITIONS. In this Act:
 (1)  "Department" means the Texas Department of
 Transportation.
 (2)  "Institute" means the Texas A&M Transportation
 Institute.
 (3)  "Port of entry" has the meaning assigned by
 Section 201.710, Transportation Code.
 SECTION 2.  FEASIBILITY STUDY ON COLOCATED INSPECTION PORTS.
 (a) The institute, in consultation with the department and the
 Department of Public Safety, shall conduct a feasibility study on
 erecting and maintaining a colocated federal and state inspection
 facility at each port of entry in this state for the inspection of
 motor vehicles for compliance with federal and state commercial
 motor vehicle regulations. The study must include:
 (1)  a summary of:
 (A)  past efforts by the Department of Public
 Safety and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to
 maintain colocated federal and state inspection facilities at each
 port of entry;
 (B)  any current efforts to colocate or separate
 federal and state inspection facilities at ports of entry in other
 states;
 (C)  current wait times at inspection facilities
 at each port of entry;
 (D)  current priorities and expectations of the
 department and the Department of Public Safety regarding motor
 vehicle inspections at ports of entry;
 (E)  the department's and Department of Public
 Safety's perspectives on the advantages and disadvantages of
 colocated federal and state inspection facilities; and
 (F)  the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
 Administration's perspective on the advantages and disadvantages
 of colocated federal and state inspection facilities, as solicited
 by the institute under Subsection (b) of this section;
 (2)  potential scenarios for the colocation of federal
 and state inspection facilities at each port of entry in this state
 and an analysis of each scenario's advantages and disadvantages;
 (3)  an analysis of potential economic benefits of
 colocating federal and state inspection facilities at each port of
 entry; and
 (4)  an analysis of the potential effects of colocating
 federal and state inspection facilities at each point of entry on
 wait times at inspection facilities.
 (b)  In conducting the study under this section, the
 institute shall solicit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
 Administration's perspective on the advantages and disadvantages
 of colocated federal and state inspection facilities.
 SECTION 3.  REPORT. (a) Before the study under Section 2 of
 this Act is completed, the institute shall contact the Federal
 Motor Carrier Safety Administration to arrange receipt of the
 report required by this subsection. Not later than December 1,
 2022, the institute shall report the results of the study conducted
 under Section 2 of this Act and any recommendations to the Federal
 Motor Carrier Safety Administration in the manner and format
 requested by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
 (b)  Not later than December 1, 2022, the institute shall
 submit to the members of the legislature a report on the results of
 the study conducted under Section 2 of this Act and any
 recommendations for legislative or other action.
 SECTION 4.  EXPIRATION DATE. This Act expires January 1,
 2023.
 SECTION 5.  IMPLEMENTATION. The Texas A&M Transportation
 Institute is required to implement this Act only if the legislature
 appropriates money specifically for that purpose. If the
 legislature does not appropriate money specifically for that
 purpose, the Texas A&M Transportation Institute may, but is not
 required to, implement this Act using other appropriations
 available for the purpose.
 SECTION 6.  EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September
 1, 2021.
 ______________________________ ______________________________
 President of the Senate Speaker of the House
 I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1907 passed the Senate on
 April 29, 2021, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 ______________________________
 Secretary of the Senate
 I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1907 passed the House on
 May 24, 2021, by the following vote:  Yeas 105, Nays 40, one
 present not voting.
 ______________________________
 Chief Clerk of the House
 Approved:
 ______________________________
 Date
 ______________________________
 Governor